Ecuadorean Aji Picante
Aji Picante is a staple on Ecuadorean tables, offering a spicy, vibrant twist to any meal. This authentic sauce combines the fiery kick of hot peppers with fresh tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and zingy lemon juice, delivering a bright and flavorful experience. Whether you're dipping, drizzling, or mixing, this sauce adds a perfect balance of heat and freshness to your favorite dishes. The versatile Aji Picante can be made with local ingredients for those outside of South America, ensuring the traditional taste of Ecuador is always within reach.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
hot red peppers
4
garlic cloves
2 (peeled)
water
1/2 cup
tomatoes
2 (peeled and chopped)
scallions
3 tablespoons (chopped)
fresh coriander
1 tablespoon (chopped)
fresh flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
lemon
1 (juiced)
olive oil
2 tablespoons
salt
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
Start by preparing your ingredients: peel and chop the tomatoes, peel the garlic cloves, and chop the scallions, coriander, and parsley.
2
In a blender, combine the hot red peppers and garlic cloves with the water. Blend until a smooth liquid is formed.
3
Strain the blended mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl, discarding any remaining solids to achieve a smooth base.
4
Add the strained liquid back into the blender or a mixing bowl, then incorporate the chopped tomatoes, scallions, coriander, and parsley.
5
Squeeze in the juice of one lemon and pour in the olive oil. Sprinkle in the salt.
6
Blend or whisk the mixture until all ingredients are well combined and the sauce is smooth.
7
Transfer the prepared Aji Picante into a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate. Allow the flavors to meld for at least an hour before serving.
8
Serve chilled or at room temperature as a condiment for your favorite dishes.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ecuadorean Aji Picante?
Aji Picante is a traditional Ecuadorean spicy sauce made with hot peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and lemon juice.
Is this Aji Picante recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan as it contains only plant-based ingredients like peppers, vegetables, herbs, and olive oil.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
Yes, Ecuadorean Aji Picante is naturally gluten-free.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to provide approximately 8 servings.
What are the primary ingredients for this sauce?
The main ingredients include hot red peppers, garlic, tomatoes, scallions, coriander, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.
How many hot red peppers are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 hot red peppers.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
Yes, the recipe specifies that the 2 tomatoes should be peeled and chopped.
What herbs are used in Aji Picante?
This recipe uses fresh coriander and fresh flat leaf parsley.
How much garlic is required?
You will need 2 garlic cloves, which should be peeled before use.
What type of oil is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How much salt should I add?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of salt.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to prepare the ingredients by peeling and chopping the tomatoes, garlic, scallions, coriander, and parsley.
Why do I need to strain the blended peppers?
Straining the mixture through a fine sieve removes solids to create a smooth liquid base for the sauce.
How long should the sauce sit before serving?
The sauce should be refrigerated for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld properly.
How should Aji Picante be stored?
It should be stored in a clean jar or bottle and kept in the refrigerator.
Can I serve this sauce at room temperature?
Yes, Aji Picante can be served either chilled or at room temperature.
Can I make this sauce if I am not in South America?
Yes, this recipe is designed to be made with local ingredients available outside of South America while maintaining traditional flavor.
What is the role of lemon juice in the recipe?
Lemon juice provides a zingy, bright acidity that balances the heat of the peppers.
Do I need a blender for this recipe?
A blender is recommended to create the smooth liquid base and to combine the final ingredients.
How many scallions are used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of chopped scallions.
What is the texture of the finished sauce?
The sauce is smooth yet vibrant, with finely chopped ingredients incorporated into a liquid base.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
No, there is no sugar included in this traditional savory and spicy sauce.
How much water is added to the peppers?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of water to help blend the peppers and garlic.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Sauces.
Is this sauce considered very spicy?
Yes, it is described as having a fiery kick due to the use of hot red peppers.
Can I whisk the ingredients instead of blending?
Yes, the final step allows for either blending or whisking the mixture until combined.
Is flat leaf parsley necessary?
The recipe specifically recommends fresh flat leaf parsley for the best flavor profile.
Can this be used as a dip?
Yes, Aji Picante is excellent for dipping, drizzling, or mixing into other dishes.
Are the garlic cloves cooked?
No, the garlic cloves are used raw and blended with the peppers.
What makes this sauce authentic?
The combination of fresh Latin American staples like aji peppers, tomatoes, and specific herbs provides its authentic Ecuadorean profile.